which if that were to happen, what would the country think of our elected officials? but i want to ask that in a broad sense. you've followed politics for a long time. when you look at this from the outside and you're an average american, basically the media is saying, congress, if they don't do anything now, might as well pass something on january 3rd but in actuality they could pass today. do you think people are understanding how absurd it is? >> no. the american people understand how absurd this is. we've been seeing poll after poll after poll showing the american people, if the country goes over the cliff, would is to blame? the republicans get the majority of the blame. speaker boehner and his plan b could not even get the republicans in his caucus to pass a tax increase on people making $1 million when we already know through november election and through subsequent public opinion polls, the american people are perfectly fine with raising taxes on people earning incomes of $250,000 and above. so the idea that the republican party can't -- i mean, i should say s